CorrectionsOntario

MCS

History of Mimico Correctional Centre

CorrectionsOntario at Wikipedia

Mimico Correctional Centre

Toronto Central Prison

King Street Gaol (1798)

King Street Gaol (1827)

Andrew Mercer Reformatory for Women

Barrie Jail

Belleville Jail

Brampton Adult Training Centre

Brampton Jail

Grandview Training School for Girls

Bracebridge Jail

List of correctional facilities in Ontario

List of Canadian correctional workers who have died in the line of duty

Bailiffs in Ontario

Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre

Brantford Jail

Central East Correctional Centre

Monteith Correctional Complex

Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre

Email me

Computer Stuff

Decompress Files without Software

Problem:

I have a file in ZIP format that I need to uncompress on my computer at work, but I can't install any new software without Administrator access.

Solution:

Go to http://wobzip.org/. You can upload any file in the following formats,

7z, ZIP, GZIP, TAR, BZIP2, RAR, CAB, ARJ, Z, CPIO, RPM, DEB, LZH, SPLIT, CHM, ISO.

Click Uncompress, then download the individual files.

From PDF to Text

Problem:

How can I convert a PDF (Portable Document Format) file into text that I can edit without having to install expensive software?

Solution:

Go to www.zamzar.com. There’s no need to download any software. Zamzar does the conversion online. Simply upload the content (or point to a URL where the content is available), select your desired file type, and Zamzar will email you with a link to retrieve the file once it’s been converted. Best of all, it’s free!

From Text to PDF part 1

Problem:

I want to convert a document or graphic image in a PDF file for distribution.

Solution:

PrimoPDF installs as a virtual printer allowing you to "print" your document into a PDF file. PrimoPDF is adware; a small advertisement appears in the dialogue box when it opens, but doesn't impede the program's use or effect the new file. PrimoPDF also lets you password protect the PDF file and prevent copying or printing. This is particularly handy if you want to email sensitive material over an open server (think: work email).

From Text to PDF part 2

Problem:

Same as above, but you're at work and you can't install any new programs on the system.

Solution:

Neevia Technology offers free online conversion of various document formats into PDF. You can download the new file from your browser of have it emailed.

Don't want to pay retail for software? This article will help:
Free Computer Tools

Freeware

Some of the links in my Free Computer Tools article have changed so rather than redoing the standalone PDF, I'll maintain a list here. If you discover that any of the links are out of date let me know and I'll update. I'd also like to hear about any other freeware available. The freeware has to be fully functional, without ads, nags, etc.

There are very few people these days who do not have a least one computer at home and most people can find the task of keeping their computer safe and running properly to be a daunting one, and an expensive one.

Every computer, even without an Internet connection is vulnerable to viruses. Although we hear mostly about viruses infecting our computers through email attachments there is also the nearly forgotten threat of infection from files transferred via CD, floppy, or flash-drive. So even without an Internet connection, your computer is vulnerable. If you don’t have anti-virus software, get it now.

Which leads us to: Where can I get reliable anti-virus software for free?

Grisoft’s AVG Anti Virus is an excellent anti-virus program that offers full functionality for free (for private use). It combines antivirus, anti-malware, and email scanning, and is available here.

If your computer is used to access the Internet, you are going to have to protect yourself from even nastier hazards, particularly if you have high-speed access through cable or DSL (Digital Subscriber Line).

The first hazard is unauthorized access to your computer via the Internet by a hacker. I won’t bore you with the technical details, but remote hacking can be a very real threat. Fortunately a “firewall” can protect you. A firewall makes your computer invisible to hackers and prevents unauthorized access. The easily best freebie firewall is Zonelabs ZoneAlarm. The free version is tricky to find from the home page but can be found here. The button on the left is the freebie. The button on the right will let you get the more robust full version, but you have to get involved with something called "Trialpay".

You now have the two most essential programs your computer needs, but there are still more dangers lurking…

There is a group of programs know as Spyware, Adware, Malware, etc. These programs often sneak in with other programs that you consensually install on your computer. These malware programs can do everything from track your surfing habits in order to tailor commercial pop-ups, to alter your home page, to gather sensitive information that could result in identity theft. These programs usually install along with another program without your knowledge. A popular music-sharing program called Kazaa is known to install spyware.

There are a few good programs for detecting and removing spyware, malware, or adware and I recommend that you install at least two as no one program is completely adept at finding them all. Here are a few favourites:

LavaSoft’s Ad-aware

Spybot Search and Destroy

Microsoft Defender

Emco’s Malware Destroyer

There are also several freeware programs available for more pleasant tasks…

For compressing/decompressing archived files such as ZIP, ARC, CAB, etc. there are two good programs available:

TugZip – Supports ZIP, 7-ZIP, A, ACE, ARC, ARJ, BH, BZ2, CAB, CPIO, DEB, GCA, GZ, IMP, JAR, LHA (LZH), LIB, RAR, RPM, SQX, TAR, TGZ, TBZ, TAZ, YZ1 and ZOO archives. Also supports BIN, C2D, IMG, ISO and NRG disc-images.

IZArc – Same support as TugZip.

Under Construction

Under Construction

Health and Safety

Workplace Mobbing
Another Form of Bullying

A summary of research on workplace mobbing published in OHS Canada, Canada's Occupational Health & Safety Magazine, Vol. 18, No. 8, December 2002, pp. 30-36. Published on the web, January 2003.